Jon Kirkham capped off a dominating performance with his second win of the day in the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup at Donington Park.
With grid positions determined from the result of the morning's 12-lap race, Jon Kirkham replaced Sean Emmett on pole. Ben Wilson took the holeshot, briefly leading until Kirkham made his move for the lead as the field entered the Old Hairpin for the first time. Wilson would try to keep tabs on the Derby based Kirkham throughout the remainder of the race but would find himself starring at his tail unit for the next eleven and a half laps.
Adrian Coates was finally showing the form that has been expected of him. Breathing all over the back of Sean Emmett, Coates moved into third at Redgate at the start of lap three. His confidence on a high after third in the re-scheduled Brands opener earlier in the day, Coates was determined to add another podium finish.
Gary Mason, Jack kennedy, Sam Warren and Richard Cooper locked horns throughout the mid-section of the race in solid battle for fifth. Mason eventually broke the tow on lap 8, hunting down the 555 machine of Emmett and an eventual fourth spot finish.
As the field became strung out behind race leader Kirkham at the front of the field, it was left to messers Cooper, Warren and Kennedy to fight out the lower order of the top ten. James Cox threw himself into the mix as the trio tripped each other up round the physically demanding 2.5 mile Leicestershire circuit.
As Kirham took his second chequered flag of the day, Sam Warren triumphed in the battle for sixth edging just ahead of Kennedy and Cooper over the closing stages. Ben Wilson and Adrian Coates rounded out the first three to make it a repeat podium.
Jon Kirkham takes over the lead as the riders head towards the culmination of the Spring Cup in two rounds time. With a two week break, the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup will reignite its passion over the weekend of 14-15 June at Snetterton in Norfolk.
Jon Kirkham: "The wind was a major factor in that race, I nearly got pushed onto the grass by it on the closing laps. I really enjoyed the race, Ben passed me a few times in the opening laps but once I managed to get past him I just had to focus on leading the race. It can be quite hard at times, wondering what's going on behind you. I'm pleased for the wins and can't fault the bike an the tyres."
Ben Wilson: "Two seconds for us today is not to bad at all. Jon was quicker than me today, all credit to him he has been running a great pace this weekend. I'd like to thank all my sponsors to be honest, without them we would not be here."
Adrian Coates: "I'm gonna have to improve my starts and get away with the leaders, it was a good race and I had some great battles with Sean. I knew that I had the pace over him and just had to get past. Two podiums today, so I can't grumble at that."
Joe Henderson, CEO Henderson Insurance: "It's a series that is getting more enjoyable and more competitive round on round. I'm looking forward to the second half of the season where I think that we can expect some more riders. It's been fantastic all the way through, we expect to see some of the characters at the front, there have been some surprises and the lads the whole way through the grid are really enjoying themselves."
Race Result:1. Kirkham
2. B.Wilson
3. Coates
4. Mason
5. Emmett
6. Warren
7. J.Kennedy
8. Cooper
9. Cox, 10. Nutt
Championship Points:1. Kirkham - 86
2. Emmett - 64
3. Warren - 56
=3. B.Wilson - 56
5. Mason - 49
